Cerebellum

Neuroscience

Spike (software development)

Biology

Deep cerebellar nuclei

Receptor

Inhibitory postsynaptic potential

Neurotransmission

Biochemistry

Computer science

Genetics

Cerebellar cortex

GABAergic

Software engineering

Purkinje cell

Scientific Reports

Purkinje cells receive synaptic input from several classes of interneurons. Here, we address the roles of inhibitory molecular layer interneurons in establishing Purkinje cell function in vivo . Using conditional genetics approaches in mice, we compare how the lack of stellate cell versus basket cell GABAergic neurotransmission sculpts the firing properties of Purkinje cells. We take advantage of an inducible Ascl1 CreER allele to spatially and temporally target the deletion of the vesicular GABA transporter, Vgat , in developing neurons. Selective depletion of basket cell GABAergic neurotransmission increases the frequency of Purkinje cell simple spike firing and decreases the frequency of complex spike firing in adult behaving mice. In contrast, lack of stellate cell communication increases the regularity of Purkinje cell simple spike firing while increasing the frequency of complex spike firing. Our data uncover complementary roles for molecular layer interneurons in shaping the rate and pattern of Purkinje cell activity in vivo .

Molecular layer interneurons shape the spike activity of cerebellar Purkinje cells